Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. … If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied.

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. … In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. … Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything.

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! … Rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name. … May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.

Ro 5:3; Mt 5:12, 1Co 15:19; 1Pe 4:12-13, 1Pe 1:6-7, 2Co 6:10; Pi 4:4, Ac 5:41; Ro 15:13; Ha 3:17-18

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®, Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.